Metra postpones UP North bridge project, schedule changes

September 30, 2010

Since August, anger about late-running, overcrowded trains mounted along the Union Pacific North line from Kenosha to Ravenswood, reaching a crescendo in Evanston, where frustrated commuters were urged to call Metra and complain.

After revisions in the timetable failed to end the misery for thousands of riders, Metra announced today that it had gotten the message.

The commuter agency said it would postpone until spring the reason for all the grief -- a $185 million bridge rebuilding project along its third-busiest line with 3 million passenger trips a year.

Back by popular demand, the original schedule will resume Sunday.

"I'm glad they're giving us back all our trains," said Chicago commuter Melody Henrie. "I'm especially relieved they're doing this before the winter. It would have been really bad."

Metra Chairwoman Carole Doris made no bones about listening to the often-barbed comments.

"We appreciate your feedback, have listened to your comments and firmly believe that the quality of service and ease of travel to our passengers is paramount," Doris said in a message to riders.

Metra's plan for the duration of the eight-year project was to funnel inbound and outbound trains from two tracks into one in the construction zone. Doris called it the "most economical" option, saving Metra $80 million. But this caused trains to run in clusters separated by long delays.

When the rail line rolled out its single-track schedule Aug. 22, it brought immediate howls from commuters.

The rail line is exploring other engineering options that will keep two tracks in operation when reconstruction of the bridges starts, Doris said.

"We know our attempt to operate on a single track has been difficult, and we apologize to our riders for the problems," she said.

Metra's effort to revise the timetable irritated Evanston and North Side commuters, who complained of fewer rush-hour trains and inconvenient times.

There were even complaints from schools such as New Trier High School in Winnetka, where students had to juggle schedules to try to catch their trains.

Kyle Nitiss, a New Trier senior from Glencoe, said he was late a couple of times.

"The first week they were OK with it," he said. "There was a little grace period. But beyond that, they were unsympathetic."

Metra acknowledged that it wasn't possible to fix schedule problems in one area without adversely affecting others. It called off yet another revision that was to go into effect next week.